A loose European launch date has been set for Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (AKA Animal Crossing: City Folk) in December of this year.

The game aims to create something of a virtual existence; allowing you to build a life for yourself within the Animal Crossing universe and enjoy a permanent vacation. Let’s Go To The City is a persistent world existing within real time, however, so leaving the game unattended for a week means a week will have passed for your characters.

It also includes holiday specific content, so you’ll be able to celebrate Halloween, or send Valentine’s Day cards to other players across the world. Each ’city’ has a variety of locations, including a Post Office, which will give you the option to send letters and postcards to friends.

Of course, you’ll also be able to visit their town in (virtual) person, and invite them to swing by your gaff, too - assuming your consoles are online. This game also introduces the Wii Speak accessory (sold separately, of course); a microphone that sits alongside the sensor bar and allows everyone in the room to chat with other City dwellers via the net connection. Check out some pictures of the Wii Speak on our game page.

It’ll also include some cross-compatibility with the DS. Characters from Animal Crossing: Wild World will be able to transport to the Wii game and, although the details are a little sketchy right now, the DS will also be able to act as a ’suitcase’; allowing you to physically carry your characters and their stuff to a friend’s Wii.

Sounds like a damn interesting concept that’s finally making use of the Wii’s connectivity, so stay tuned for more Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (or City Folk, if you prefer) news as it comes in at GDN.